as unreasonably reluctant
to close with the Bay Shore Development Company as I had been with
Captain Jed or Colton.

"Shall I make a bid?" asked Keene.

"No, not yet at any rate. Tell me, this: Whose land have you already
bought?"

He shook his head. "That, of course," he said, with the same gracious
smile, "I can hardly tell even to you. Some of the deals are not yet
closed, and, as a business man yourself, Mr. Paine, you--"

"I am not a business man," I interrupted, impatiently. "At least, not
much of a one. You say there are capitalists behind your scheme. Who are
they?"

He laid his hand on my knee. "Why, that," he said, "is a secret no
one is supposed to know. Men--financiers such as we are proud to
serve--permit their names to be known only when the corporation is ready
to begin actual operations. That is natural enough. If I were to
mention names--well, some of your Yankee neighbors would want to become
millionaires before selling."

There was truth in this. I imagine that he guessed he had made an
impression, for he went on to shout his praises of the company and the
greatness of its plan. He talked and talked; in fact he talked too much.
I did not like to hear him. I did not like HIM, that was the trouble. He
was too smooth and voluble altogether. And he made a mistake in patting
my knee.

"Very well," said I, rising from my chair; "I'll think it over."

He was plainly disappointed. "I don't wish to hurry you, of course," he
said, not moving from his chair, "but we are anxious to close. This is
to be cash, remember, and I stand ready to make an offer. I am sure we
can reach an agreement, satisfactory to both sides, Mr. Paine."

"Perhaps, but I prefer to think the matter over before naming a price or
hearing your offer."

As a matter of fact I did not intend to sell, or consider selling, until
I had discussed the whole affair with Mother. But there was no need to
tell him that.

"I am sorry, I confess," he said. "I hoped this particular deal might be
closed. We have so many of these little details, Mr. Paine, and time
is money. However, if you insist upon it, I presume the company will be
willing to wait a few days."

"I am afraid it will have to."

"Very well, very well. I shall be down again in a day or two. Of course,
waiting may have some effect upon the price. To-day I was empowered to
. . . You don't care to hear? Very well. So glad to have met you, Mr.
Paine. Of course you will not menti